La Fonderie

About the museum

La Fonderie occupies the site of the former Compagnie des Bronzes, founded in 1854 and based on rue Ransfort from 1862 to 1863, in the heart of Molenbeek's industrial district, once nicknamed the “Petit Manchester” (Little Manchester). The company, which specialised in monumental statues, lighting and decorative bronze objects, delivered prestigious commissions in Belgium and abroad. Its workshops, built between 1862 and 1912 around a courtyard, included foundry, turning and assembly halls, a sculpture workshop and the director's residence. Activity declined after 1950 and the company went bankrupt in 1979.

From the 1970s onwards the decline of Brussels' industry threatened a whole heritage of buildings, machines and know-how. Activists and historians then founded an association, officially established in 1983 under the name La Fonderie. It aimed to study the city's industrial past and to contribute to a better understanding of that shared past. The French Community acquired the site, protected as a monument since 1997, to allow the association to settle there.

Over the decades La Fonderie has assembled an important collection of objects, industrial machines, archives and oral testimonies. Its museum, a museum of history and society, presents the permanent exhibition “Made in Brussels”: it shows how Brussels developed around its industry and presents four key sectors, metalworking, woodworking, textile clothing and food, each illustrated by two star machines. The site combines ruins and restored buildings, green spaces and machines rescued from former Brussels companies. Alongside the museum, La Fonderie offers a documentation centre, educational activities, lifelong learning projects and a series of guided city trails.

Highlights

• “Made in Brussels” permanent exhibition on the city's industrial history
• Star machines from the metal, wood, textile and food sectors
• Site of the former Compagnie des Bronzes, between restored buildings and ruins
• Jacquard loom in the permanent exhibition
• Guided city trails in Brussels, from April to November

Permanent exhibition

• Made in Brussels – Permanent exhibition on Brussels' industrial past: the rise of the city around its industry and four sectors (metal, wood, textile clothing, food), each illustrated by two star machines.

Founded

1983

Operated by

asbl La Fonderie

Director

Mathias Mellaerts

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month

Rates for the permanent exhibition “Made in Brussels”. Free with the Museum Pass. Guided city trails are charged separately (€15 full price, €12 reduced, in 2026).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is accessible to wheelchair users with assistance, and to people with reduced mobility; toilets for people with reduced mobility are available (according to the programme of the Brussels Heritage Days).

Kids & families

Free entry for children under 12; the education service offers activities and workshops for schools, and art and craft courses during the summer.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

ZOT, the association-run canteen on the site (meals at differentiated or free prices, kitchen service from 12:00 to 14:00), is run by the non-profit association Zottepiste.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

The Salle des Ciseleurs (84 m², bright, with video projector and sound system): up to 80 seated people, for workshops, training, team building, lectures or readings; guided tours and activities are available as an addition.

Plan your visit